By Michael Minnich
Tribune Sports Editor
mminnich@newstribune.info
KEYSER—David Echartea rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns as the Keyser Golden Tornado bounced back from last week’s loss to Frankfort with a 41-14 win over the Mountain Ridge Miners on Friday night at Tornado Alley.
With the win, Keyser clinches home field advantage for the first round of the WVSSAC playoffs, which begin next week.
Tornado Alley received state approval to host playoff games on Friday, so KHS won’t have to play a “home” postseason game away from the Friendly City for the first time in decades.
Mountain Ridge received the opening kickoff and moved the chains on third down on a six-yard Drew Winters run.
But four plays later, Cody Hovatter came on to punt, and Jarell Ross, suspended for last week's game, made his presence known this week, returning the kick 71 yards for a touchdown with 9:04 left in the first quarter.
Scott Kitrell's extra point gave KHS a 7-0 lead.
After two short runs, Ryan Delaney's pass was tipped and intercepted by Wes Washington, who returned the ball to the house.
But a flag against Keyser nullified the score.
The Golden Tornado took over at their own 41.
On second down, David Echartea gained eight yards and a first down.
Two plays later on third-and-4, R.C. Pratt gained nine yards, but a personal foul moved the ball back 15 yards.
Tyler Biser was sacked on first down, and KHS punted three plays later.
Beginning from their own 10, the Miners gave the ball to Jarod Harper on first down for 12 yards.
Using Harper, Drew Winters, and Delaney on the ground, the Miners moved the ball into KHS territory as the first quarter concluded.
Out of the break, Harper picked up a first down on third-and-2.
The Miners kept marching: Delaney gained seven yards, then, three plays later, moved the chains on fourth down with a push up the middle.
Later in the drive, facing third-and-5, Harper picked up the first down on a counter down to the Keyser 22.
On third down, Delaney was flagged for intentional grounding, and the Miners punted.
Mountain Ridge ran 20 plays over nine minutes and 31 seconds and came up empty.
Keyser, starting from the exact same place, needed just one play and 14 seconds: Echartea darted 90 yards to paydirt at the scoreboard end.
KHS led, 14-0, after Kitrell's kick with 6:19 left.
Mountain Ridge went three-and-out.
On second down, Wes Washington gained 21 yards.
After a holding penalty, Echartea ripped off 28 stripes down to the Mountain Ridge 34.
Washington ran for six, Kadeem Garland for 15, then Echartea carried for 11 yards down to the 2.
Echartea got the call again on first and goal and cashed the pigskin in.
KHS led, 21-0, with 1:55 left in the half.
Mountain Ridge went to the passing game on first down: Delaney to Russell Knieriem for 10 yards.
Delaney carried for 16 yards across midfield, then a holding penalty on the next play gave the Miners ten more yards.
Delaney's option keeper gained nine more stripes,
see KHS page 5A
then dumped out to Keinan Harper for a first down at the KHS 28.
The drive stalled, and Hovatter's 45-yard field goal was just short.
Keyser took a knee to end the half.
Echartea rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
Ross opened the second half by returning Hovatter's kickoff to the KHS 38.
Echartea added to his total with a four-yard run, then Kitrell carried for just the second time all night for eight yards.
Echartea broke for 29, then Biser moved the chains four plays later with a short run.
Three plays later, Echartea scored his third touchdown from three yards.
Keyser led, 28-0, with 7:11 left in the third quarter.
On second down, Mountain Ridge fumbled and Ethan LaRue fell on the loose ball for KHS.
KHS wasted no time: Biser hooked up with Garland from 23 yards out for the touchdown with 6:20 left in the quarter.
MRHS started from their own 23 after the kickoff.
A personal foul on second down moved the chains once, then Delaney kept for 10 yards on the next play.
Three plays later, the MRHS 192 quarterback picked up a third down with a three yard run.
Three runs moved the ball to the Keyser 25.
But on fourth-and-1, Washington stuffed Jarod Harper short of the marker and Mountain Ridge turned the ball over on downs.
Jarell Ross ran for 11 yards on first down, then 52 more two plays later.
Keyser faced third-and-4 as the fourth quarter started.
R.C. Pratt finished the drive with a 15-yard run.
Kitrell's kick was no good, but Keyser still led comfortably, 41-0, with 11:53 left.
Mountain Ridge moved the ball to midfield before punting; KHS went three-and-out.
Starting from the Keyser 46, the Miners drove and got a consolation prize on an Austin Teets touchdown with 2:06 left.
Hovatter's kick was good, giving the lead a light trim to 41-7.
Keyser recovered an onside kick, but fumbled on first down.
Nathan Lewis recovered for the Miners.
A few plays later, Delaney rolled into the end zone for another MRHS score.
Keyser ran out the rest of the 52 seconds.
Keyser (7-3) will now await the unveiling of the West Virginia playoff brackets on Sunday.
The Golden Tornado will most likely be seeded seventh.
The game will either be Friday or Saturday; the visiting team has the choice of date.
Mountain Ridge (4-6) is eliminated from playoff contention.
It’s the first losing season in the Miners’ three-year history.
